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MA Medieval Archaeology

Explore the past from the European heartland of medieval archaeology

Year of entry: 2025 (September)

Length

1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

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in the UK for archaeology

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024

in the world for archaeology

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024

The historic buildings, landscapes and material culture of York and northern England offer unrivalled opportunities to immerse yourself in the hands-on study of medieval archaeology.

One of the first universities in the country to specialise in medieval archaeology, the Department of Archaeology at York is well established as a leading authority on the subject. The specialisms of our staff cover the whole medieval period.

The course focuses on the archaeology of medieval Britain and Western Europe, considering buildings, landscapes and artefacts within a range of social, cultural and environmental contexts. It covers the period from the end of the Roman Empire to the Reformation, and explores themes such as settlement, trade and economy, religion, social structure, ethnicity and identity, conquest and cultural contact, and methodological and theoretical approaches.

The flexible modular structure of the course means you can tailor your MA to suit your interests and goals. There is an opportunity to learn valuable practical skills, which are essential for a wide range of archaeological and associated careers.

Beautiful surroundings

York is the UK's archaeological capital and we use it extensively as our ‘living lab’ for both teaching and research.

Feel at home

Informality is one of our distinctive qualities - the atmosphere in our department is friendly, supportive and enthusiastic. We want you to develop your potential and thrive at York.

Course content

You will study 180 credits over the duration of your course:

  • Semester 1 - one core and two option modules
  • Semester 2 - one core and one option module with an 80 credit dissertation
  • Summer Semester - 80 credit dissertation continued

Modules

Core modules

Option modules

You will choose three option modules from examples including:

You'll also have the opportunity to choose options from our full module catalogue:

Some option modules combinations may not be possible. The option available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Dissertation

You'll complete a 15,000-word dissertation on your research.

You will receive support, advice and guidance from your dissertation supervisor throughout your project. The range of expertise of our staff means we can provide you with guidance on a wide range of topics. You will have one-to-one meetings with supervisors across Semester 2 and the Summer Semester.

Examples of previous dissertations include:

  • Sites of kingship and their meanings in early medieval Ireland
  • An exploration of the landscape of Hadrian’s Wall in the post-Roman period
  • The effects of the Reformation on brass commemoration
  • An analysis and reinterpretation of settlement sites in the Crusader kingdoms
  • An archaeological assessment of the Danelaw boundary and its landscape
  • The creation of new typologies and interpretations of Cistercian metalwork
  • A theoretical assessment of Anglo-Saxon female saints’ cults
  • An analysis of the osteological material from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery

The York approach

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an applied, systematic, in-depth understanding of essential disciplinary knowledge of the field of medieval archaeology, and awareness of its breadth and its relevant academic, professional and socio-economic contexts
  • Engage critically with current debates and advanced scholarship in local and international research and field practice in order to evaluate archaeological work on the medieval period
  • Inform decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations by assessing and applying advanced, professional-level theories and methodologies relating to medieval archaeology to diverse problems or forms of data
  • Confidently synthesise research findings and key scholarly debates, and communicate (through a variety of forms and media) to peers, public or professional audiences in such a way that demonstrates an ability to consider and adapt to their respective needs
  • Demonstrate originality in rigorous and imaginative independent inquiry, using advanced research skills, and a clear contribution to the work of a disciplinary or interdisciplinary team
  • In conjunction with archaeological data, critically assess the scholarship and evidence generated by other related disciplines - including anthropology, history, art history, and medieval studies - in order to shed light on themes and questions in medieval archaeology.
  • Apply theoretical interpretations and critical skills to the analysis of artefacts, landscapes and buildings in order to develop better understandings of the medieval period

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees for 2025/26

Study modeUK (home)International and EU
Full-time (1 year) £11,200£25,900
Part-time (2 years)
This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation.
£5,600£12,950
Part-time (3 years)
This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation.
£3,733£8,633

Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.

For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.

  • UK (home) fees may increase in subsequent years (up to a maximum of 2%).
  • International fees may increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

Fees information

UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.

Additional costs

We don't anticipate there being any additional fees associated with this course. All books and resources you need will be available in the library or online and it isn't mandatory that you buy your own copies. You may wish to set aside a small budget for photocopying, depending on how you like to work.

Funding information

Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Funding opportunities

Chevening Scholarships

We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.

We have a variety of funding options available within the department.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

The Medieval Archaeology course at York provided me with countless opportunities and experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. The connections and friendships I made with my fellow students, including some students pursuing other degrees, exposed me to new and different ideas.
Heather, MA Medieval Archaeology

Teaching and assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching format

You'll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and site visits.

Teaching location

You will be based on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.

Assessment and feedback

You will be assessed by a variety of methods. Depending on which modules you opt to take, these could include: 

  • Essays
  • Oral presentations
  • Report writing
  • Dissertation
  • Or alternative assessment methods such as film-making, blogging or posters

Careers and skills

The course provides a solid foundation for a wide range of careers and further studies. Our students have gone on to research degrees, academic or teaching careers, museum positions and archaeology posts at local councils, regional authorities, field units, and heritage bodies such as English Heritage and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Career opportunities

  • Academic researcher
  • Archaeologist
  • Heritage manager
  • Museum education officer
  • Archivist
  • Social researcher

Transferable skills

  • Time management
  • The ability to investigate topics in depth
  • Research skills
  • Think critically
  • Work independently
  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Presentation skills
Since finishing my MA, I have had so many wonderful opportunities within the heritage industry, which have been based on the strong archaeological foundations I gained at York. It has enabled me to develop the confidence to start my own business, as well as implement Viking Age projects with leading individuals in the field, both locally and internationally.
Emma, MA Medieval Archaeology

Entry requirements

Typical offer
Undergraduate degree 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Archaeology, Anthropology, Classics, History, Art History, Geography and Medieval/Renaissance Studies.
Other qualifications and experience If you don’t have conventional qualifications, but do have appropriate, relevant experience, you are encouraged to apply. We carefully consider each application on its merits.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Additional requirements

You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic and Indicator) 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo 120, minimum 105 in all other components
LanguageCert SELT B2 with 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, minimum 55 in each component
TOEFL 87, minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all requirements

For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

You can apply and send all your documentation online. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.

Apply for this course

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Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Postgraduate Student Services Team
Dr Aleksandra McClain, Course Director

Learn more

Department of Archaeology

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